SAN DIEGO — The entire planet’s population is about to descend upon downtown San Diego starting Thursday for this year’s Comic-Con Convention. While the entire planet’s population might be a might be an exaggeration, you get the point – it is going to be crowded.
No doubt, some San Diegans will avoid downtown at all costs by staying home, locking the doors, lowering the blinds, maybe even have a kiki. For others, it might be the best time to visit attractions in San Diego and across southern California that otherwise might be crowded with visitors at other times of the years.
RELATED: All things San Diego 2019 Comic-Con
Let's start at home.
Visit Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido or their tasting room in Oceanside. Their winery is located in San Pasqual Valley, just 30 minutes from San Diego, between Interstate 15 and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Their wine tasting start at $15 per person for six wine tastings. Check out their website here.
Want to venture into space while you're in Escondido? Celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing.
As seen in the Zevely Zone, a Moon Landing Celebration show will take place in Escondido at the California Center for the Arts Saturday, July 20, at 7 p.m.
Tickets start at just $15 dollars.
Visit the Escondido Art Center's website for more information.
Ramona is also home to several wineries. Some of them include:
Rashelica Winery & Art Garden
The are open Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to sunset and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to sunset.
While you are there you can enjoy food and a game of bocce ball or garden chess.
Wine tastings start at $15.
Turtle Rock Ridge Vineyard Winery
Receive Tastings for just $10 per person. Their tasting room is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
How about some pie?
Go eat some pie in Julian and enjoy the back country. Here are a few pie shops:
Julian Pie Company on Main Street
Mom’s Pie House also on Main Street
Apple Alley Bakery on Main Street
Julian Café on Main Street
While you are out in East County, you can also enjoy the Lions, Tigers & Bears Sanctuary. It is one of the few exotic animal sanctuaries in the United States. The Alpine animal sanctuary has more than 60 rescued animals and 19 species, including lions, tigers, American and Himalayan black bears, grizzly bears, bobcats, mountain lions, leopards, an African serval, llamas, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, a miniature horse, miniature donkey, peacocks, and a macaw.
Lions, Tigers & Bears is closed on Sundays. Prices Wednesday through Friday are $46 per adult and $26 per child; Saturday they are $46 per adult and $26 per child (12 and under).
Price includes a two-hour guided visit.
All visits are by appointment only so book your visit here!
Drive a little further and visit Joshua Tree National Park. It’s open year-round and it is just two-and-a-half hours away from San Diego. This weekend, temperatures are expected to reach triple digits so remember to pack lots of water and stay hydrated!
Entrance Fee - $30.00 for seven-day vehicle permit, admitting the passengers of a single, non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and for the next six days.
Individual Entrance Fee - $15.00 for seven-day entrance fee, per person on foot or bike.
Plan your visit here.
If you don't want to go anywhere and just stay home and watch TV, the Emmy nominations came out Tuesday so Comic-Con weekend would be a great time to catch up on some shows.
Here are this year's Drama Series nominees:
Better Call Saul (AMC)
Bodyguard (Netflix)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Killing Eve (BBC America)
Ozark (Netflix)
Pose (FX)
Succession (HBO)
This is Us (NBC)
Need a laugh? Check out the Comedy Series nominees:
Barry (HBO)
Fleabag (Amazon)
The Good Place (NBC)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Russian Doll (Netflix)
Schitt's Creek (Pop)
Veep (HBO)
As thousands descend to Gaslamp district, maybe hit up a movie this weekend.
Disney's The Lion King opens nationwide. Check your local listings.
Fellow San Diegans, how do you plan to avoid the Comic-Con crowds? Let us know!